A Guide To Recycled Aggregate

Recycled aggregate is a mixture of crushed concrete and asphalt, ground down into small pieces. It has many different applications, from landscaping to road construction. Recycling aggregate is essential in waste management because it keeps valuable materials out of landfills and reduces the need for virgin materials to be mined. Recycled aggregates are also used in concrete mixes because they our there properties such as being resistant to water erosion, strength against heavy traffic, and freeze-thaw cycles.

Using recycled aggregates can also save money on maintenance costs in highway projects, such as roads and paving. According to most aggregate suppliers its believed that recycled asphalt pavements can last up to 20 years longer than conventional pavements, saving taxpayers millions of dollars in maintenance costs annually.

In addition to public use, recycled aggregates can be used across a wide range of domestic projects, from hardcore for foundations of house footings, garage and shed bases and well as driveways.

Types of Recycled Aggregate

Recycled aggregate is any mineral that has been recycled from previous use. There are several different kinds of recycled aggregates, each with its unique characteristics. It is important to note that while recycled aggregate can be used in place of virgin materials, it is not as strong as new-mined material. Here are some common types of recycled aggregate:

Crushed Concrete

As the name suggests crushed concrete is produced by crushing concrete into smaller pieces the size of stone or gravel. This material can be used to make concrete or asphalt, among other things as well as being used as hardcore filling such as it’s used as base for roads but in a domestic context, hardcore for footings to homes, driveways and shed bases. The main benefit of using crushed concrete as an alternative to virgin materials is that it saves the need for mining and reduces the amount of waste created by construction or road maintenance projects that is sent to landfill. Crushed concrete is also cheaper than new concrete and can be especially helpful if you have a limited budget.

Crushed Asphalt

Crushed asphalt is made from asphalt that’s been pulverised by a machine into small pieces that range from 1/2 inch to 3 inches in diameter. Because it comes from recycled asphalt pavement, crushed asphalt is often referred to as “recycled asphalt.” It can be used in place of gravel or coarse sand in drainage systems or around ponds and lakes because it doesn’t compact easily like sand when it becomes saturated with water after heavy rains.

Glass Aggregate

Glass aggregate is made from crushed glass that comes from broken bottles or other containers. This type of recycled material can be used in asphalt because it has similar properties as natural sand. It is also cheaper than natural sand because it doesn’t need to be mined or transported.

Concrete and Masonry Demolition Waste

Concrete demolition waste includes pieces too small to use in new construction projects but still has some value as aggregate material. This recycled aggregate is usually only used in concrete mixes because it isn’t as strong as other aggregates, such as limestone or granite chips.

Advantages of Recycled Aggregate

Recycled aggregate is a great way to save money. It’s also an excellent way to help the environment and create jobs. Recycled aggregate has many advantages over traditional aggregates, including:

Cost Savings

Recycled concrete is cheaper than virgin concrete because it reduces the energy used in production. Less energy means lower costs. In addition, recycled concrete has different properties than virgin concrete. For example, recycled concrete has more air voids than virgin concrete, which makes it more porous and allows water to pass through more easily. This is important when building water retention areas such as ponds or lakes.

Environmentally Friendly

Using recycled materials reduces the waste going into landfills and keeps resources that can be used again in construction projects out of landfills. Recycling also reduces pollution because recycling centres don’t burn waste to generate electricity like some plants do today nor is that energy used to mine and transport virgin materials.

Increased Durability

Another advantage of using recycled aggregate is that it increases the durability and longevity of your project because it contains more cement binder than most virgin crushed stone or sand products. The cement binder helps hold the particles together so they don’t move around quickly when subjected to moisture and weathering factors like rain and heat, which can cause erosion and deterioration over time.

Recycled Aggregate Is More Affordable

Many people believe recycled concrete is more expensive than new concrete because it costs more to process than raw materials. However, there are ways to reduce these costs by creating partnerships with local businesses or government agencies that can access large amounts of waste concrete and other building materials like asphalt shingles or roofing tiles. In addition, some municipalities offer tax incentives for using recycled materials in construction projects such as public car parks.

Wrapping Up

When choosing a recycled aggregate, you should make sure to find out what aggregate will be best for your project and understand how it’ll be used. This will ensure that what you use is suitable for your application. The aggregate should be from domestic demolition or excavation sites. Aggregates from non-domestic and industrial sources may contain hazardous materials that can affect the final product’s quality.